GSFL 2025: Determined Albany side chasing flag hat-trick under new coach despite loss of key young contingent

Albany will chase a historic third straight Great Southern Football League premiership this year but there will be some changes, headed up by a new coach. Roy Addis is making the jump from assistant to head coach for the Sharks this season, taking over from dual premiership coach Jamie Ramm. The Sharks made history in 2023 with a historic first league flag and backed that up with another grand final win last season, downing Royals by 21 points in the decider. An experienced senior coach, Addis hopes he can build on the success of the last two years at the club. “To be honest, I feel really comfortable stepping up because I’ve been there as an assistant coach for three years with James so to me there’s been no big changes with the football club structures,” he said. “From every football club’s perspective, the idea is to be competitive and that’s exactly what we will be, we’ll do the best we can.” Like many clubs in the league, the Sharks lost some strong players after the 2024 season, many of whom played key roles in their premiership victories. Young stars Harvey Taylor, Kaleb Germain, Aiden Clark, George Bockman and Mitchell Collier are all omissions while key forward Matt Martin is also gone. However the club has been able to recruit two vital additions in their bid for a three-peat. Former WAFL midfielder Morgan Davies has returned to the club after not playing in 2024. Davies last played in the WAFL reserves in 2023 and back in 2021 featured in five games for the Sharks in the GSFL. Ashley Ayles comes with a strong football resume, having played in the SANFL before spending the last few years playing for Nukarni in the Eastern Districts Football League. Addis said he was hoping to push some of the younger Sharks players up in the league side and noted the additions of Davies and Ayles - the latter spending most of 2024 season training with the team. “I think when you’ve always got quality players around, you do expect them to have an impact, but at the end of the day, I think when you look across the list we’ve got good players all across the board so we’re comfortable with what we’ve got,” Addis said. Addis said the Sharks weren’t getting caught in the pressure of going for three consecutive flags, but couldn’t deny he wanted the side to keep their competitive edge this season. “In everyone else’s position they’re still looking at winning, so we’re no different.” Isaac Baum and Tait McLean will be the co-captains for the season. The Sharks begin their title defence against Denmark-Walpole on April 26 at home and face the Lions in a grand final rematch in round three. 2024 REWIND Finish: Premiers Best and fairest: Bailey Taylor Highest Kleemann votes: Bailey Taylor (15) Leading goalkicker: Brett Peake (68) Biggest win: 113 points v North Albany Worst loss: 18 points v Mt Barker